e30 s52 Horrible engine noise!!!

[Nick Hayden]

Hello everyone! So I finished my e30 s52 obd2 swap over the summer. It ran like a dream for about the first 2000 miles. But now the most horrible noise is coming from the front of the engine. I thought it could be the vanos system but i do not think that is it.
please help me before i spend money.
Thank you!!!

[bimmerteck]

Sound reminds me of an m42 munching it's chain guides.

[Nick Hayden]

The chain guides look good as far as i could see. And the chains all good and tight.

[bimmerteck]

Not saying that's it just that it's sounded similar, diagnosing from a youtube video is less than stellar, in person I would use a stethoscope to isolate where the noise is originating from. I've also seen failed vanos units cause a similar noise but they usually sound more rhythmic to me.


With no history or mileage on the motor I suppose either is possible.

[Nick Hayden]

Sorry about that. But the engine has 140000 miles on it. I have heard that it could be from me running to light of oil. I was told to run 5-30, but done more search and found 10-40 in a better choice.

[bimmerteck]

I haven't run 5w-30 in one, all my motors see 15w-50, 5w-50, or 10w60. Though there are some 5w-30 oils that are approved by BMW for some climates.

[atldohc]

the vanos seals are probably toast if they havent been replaced already. my s52 had around 90-100k and while the seals on mine werent broken and had a slight resistance when pushing the plunger in and out, when bending them they snapped into pieces. plasticized bigtime. it was only a matter of time before they didnt seal at all or broke apart. i would probably take bimmertecks suggestion and try to isolate the noise with a stethoscope first though

[Nick Hayden]

It is hard for me get my hands on a stethoscope but I will try. But let my tell how it has been running. It might help. So I have never driven any other s52 swaps but I feel like I have no low end power. I only have power after around 3500. My engine running smooth all the way up the rpms with no problem. The idle is not the best. It bounces around when it is rattling but when it stops it start idling perfect. Then when it starts rattle again it goes to crap. I will make a video of it later. Hope this help. And I put my hand right over the vanos and it kinda feels like it coming from.

[maclogos]

Sounds like vanos is failing or has already failed to me.

[Nick Hayden]

Ok that would make sense. So you guys recommend dr. Vanos stage one kit or just buying the pieces to rebuild it? Also do you have to have to special tools to do it?

[atldohc]

well i myself went the beisan systems route. http://www.beisansystems.com/products.html

i believe you will find how tos on the beisan site, pelican site, and dr vanos site if i remember correctly. id recommend using the timing tools although ive heard of some people doing it without it. they used to have a baum tools vanos tool set for relatively cheap on ebay. if you have an aftermarket flywheel the pin that locks it in place wont work anyways. oh yeah there was a cheap homebrew way to rig up an alignment tool i read about. let me see if i can find it

[atldohc]

heres one of them:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1814850-Cheap-DIY-Cam-locking-tool-for-Vanos-install

but you should decide if the accuracy is acceptable to you. i used the correct timing tools on mine, and i do believe the cam ends were not square as one guy in the thread pointed out. i also recall there being some play between the cam ends and the openings in the alignment tool. so how accurate was the baum tool anyways? i dont know whatever. i did that years ago and my car runs great.

[Nick Hayden]

Ok sweet. That is a lot cheaper then buy a whole new system. And I will just get the tools look to make it a lot Easier. Thank for the help. Also I want to change my oil first to see if that helps. 10-40 is what I have found out is good.

[Nutzy]

Yick! That sounds more like a chain flapping like crazy than any of the vanos sounds I have heard. Pop the valve cover off and get a torch down in there, stat!

[E30FreaK89]

kinda sounds like water pump or the timing chain... i only hear the sound when it comes down on the right rpm. try taking the belt off real quick and reving and see what happens?